Jaw-dropping Jewels about Jesus
Rarely does Jesus, God the Son, do exactly what we expect of Him. It seems odd that He so frequently surprises us, given that He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 makes this absolute statement: “Jesus the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Still, though He is blessedly consistent in His goodness, Jesus does unforeseen things. Even when He does what is expected, He does not always do it in the way that we anticipate. Let us join with Jesus on a jaw-dropping journey. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
Revelation 16:19 speaks of “Babylon” (see also Revelation 14:8). Chapters 17 and 18 provide further explanations with chapter 17 focusing on religious matters and chapter 18 centering on things economic. Some are confused by these seemingly disparate details, but all of these uncertainties vanish if we correctly interpret these passages as referring to a literal city of Babylon, the “capital” of the Antichrist’s temporary one-world government. As an actual place, it can then be used symbolically to represent a world religion (the worship of the Antichrist) and a world economic system (requiring “the mark” of the “beast” – Revelation 13:16-17). We are familiar with this usage. For example, Broadway is a literal street in New York City but also represents the theatrical industry. Wall Street, also in New York, is used symbolically of finance. Silicon Valley, an area in California where many computer companies are located, designates the technological sector (and, unfortunately, collusion with coercive government). Similarly, Hollywood, a specific place, is synonymous with the entertainment industry. At the time of the Tribulation, the city of Babylon will exist and will represent all that opposes Jesus Christ. Its certain destruction (God will “give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath” – Revelation 16:19) is a vigorous reminder of the folly of brazenly defying the Almighty God.